MY STORY
I wasn’t always good at networking
Almost 30 years ago, I attended my first networking event. I arrived knowing nobody, felt completely out of my depth and spent most of the evening hiding in the toilets, trying to work out how I was supposed to walk into a room full of strangers and start conversations.
Fast forward to today and networking is not only something I really enjoy but it is also the most valuable professional skill I have developed. Not because I learned a set of techniques or memorised the perfect opening line, but because I discovered the style of networking that works for me and, I worked out that it’s all about building lasting relationships that deliver value.
I’ve been where you are
Throughout my career, I have used networking to build relationships and create opportunities across multiple sectors.
I understand the reality of professional networking because I’ve been doing it for years. I understand that it’s difficult to work out who to speak to and what to say. I’ve felt the pressure of needing to develop opportunities, build credibility quickly and demonstrate tangible results. I have sat in front of my manager and had to explain not just who I had met, but how those relationships contributed to business objectives. And, no I still haven’t worked out the perfect way to exit a conversation!
My experience shapes the training I deliver. I don’t teach networking as a theoretical exercise. I teach what works in the real world.
Building networks with purpose
In 2017, I founded the Women in Residential Property (WIRP), a network created to bring women from across the residential property sector together to share knowledge, build relationships and support each other’s professional development.
WIRP evolved into an award-winning network with thousands of members, recognised for its impact and contribution to the industry. For me, its success reinforced the importance of professional networks at all stages of our careers whether that be as a provider of support during difficult times, a test bed for innovation or a platform for collaboration.
My approach
Networking is personal. There is no single formula that works for everyone. The best approach is one that reflects your personality, goals and professional environment.
I help individuals and organisations move beyond collecting business cards and attending events, focusing instead on how to build the right relationships, create opportunities and develop networks that deliver long-term value.
I haven’t just studied networking. I’ve done it. I’ve relied on it. I’ve measured the results.
And I’ve had to make it work.